The 2024 Suzhou Marathon, the second city marathon of Suzhou, kicked off at 7:30 a.m. on Apr. 14. About 25,000 runners took part in the race.
The Suzhou Marathon, officially certified by the Chinese Athletic Association, was sponsored by the Suzhou Municipal Government and organized by the Suzhou Sports Bureau. The race had Suzhou Bank as its title sponsor. It set up three events: a full marathon, a half marathon and a mini health run, attracting about 25,000 runners from all over the world. Zhao Shuai and Zheng Shuyin, taekwondo champions of the Rio Olympics, were invited to lead the race, bringing the spirit of the Olympics to the city.
This year’s event featured a running route which passed a number of landmarks in Suzhou Industrial Park, Gusu District, and Suzhou New District, such as the ancient city moat, the Panmen Scenic Area, the Hanshan Temple, the Pingjiang Road Historical Block, and Gate of the Orient, offering the runners a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the city’s picturesque scenery.
After fierce competition, Guan Yousheng from China’s Guizhou Province and Leah Cheruto from Kenya, won the men’s and women’s full marathon in 2:16:26 and 2:38:08, respectively. Emmanuel Kipsang and Daisilah Jerono from Kenya triumphed in the men’s and women’s half marathon in 1:06:19 and 1:14:57, respectively.